Waycross residents meet about cancer cluster

WAYCROSS, Ga. -- Residents of Waycross believe an old industrial waste water processor is to blame for a cancer cluster in the community.

Residents had a meeting and will be going out into Waycross and surrounding areas to survey families to find just how many people are sick.

They believe this old waste water plant is contaminating the ground and causing illness and reproductive problems here. Dozens of children have been diagnosed with cancer, which many are the same exact type.

"The contamination that was at the site, went into a drainage ditch and then went into a creek that runs through our town. A lot sickness A lot of unexplained illnesses," said Joan McNeal, resident of Waycross.

First Coast News did some research in this waste water processing site. It's owned by Seven Out LLC and FCN found that the company had a history of environmental violations at the site. The violations include illegal storage and dumping.

Georgia environmental officials tested the soil around the site and found mercury, lead and arsenic. They also found half a million gallons of potentially hazardous waste. The EPA is now eying this community.

The agency had representatives surveying the site, but residents here fear contamination is spreading.